Jeff Denson - vocals & double bass
Lyle Link - tenor & soprano saxophones
Kari Ikonen - piano, Fender Rhodes & Moog Synthesizer
Ronen Itzik - drum set
At first glance bassist Jeff Denson appears to reinvent himself on every album, and his 12th release as leader or co-leader, 6th under his name, Outside My Window, might seem like his biggest departure yet. Possessing a huge, galvanizing sound and a lyrically-charged compositional vision, the supremely versatile Denson has earned recognition over the past 15 years as one of his generations definitive bassists. Jeff has performed around the world in many of the top jazz festivals and venues with some of the biggest names in jazz such as Dave Douglas, Brian Blade, Joe Lovano and many more including being a member of jazz legend, Lee Konitzs quartet for over 12 years. Slated for release on his label Ridgeway Records on May 4, 2018, Outside My Window recalibrates his already expansive array of creative outlets by giving equal weight to his vocals. Working with a stellar international quartet, Denson delivers an emotionally taut program weaving together striking interpretations of iconic songs and deeply felt originals. ...
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Jeff Denson - vocals & double bass
Lyle Link - tenor & soprano saxophones
Kari Ikonen - piano, Fender Rhodes & Moog Synthesizer
Ronen Itzik - drum set
At first glance bassist Jeff Denson appears to reinvent himself on every album, and his 12th release as leader or co-leader, 6th under his name, Outside My Window, might seem like his biggest departure yet. Possessing a huge, galvanizing sound and a lyrically-charged compositional vision, the supremely versatile Denson has earned recognition over the past 15 years as one of his generations definitive bassists. Jeff has performed around the world in many of the top jazz festivals and venues with some of the biggest names in jazz such as Dave Douglas, Brian Blade, Joe Lovano and many more including being a member of jazz legend, Lee Konitzs quartet for over 12 years. Slated for release on his label Ridgeway Records on May 4, 2018, Outside My Window recalibrates his already expansive array of creative outlets by giving equal weight to his vocals. Working with a stellar international quartet, Denson delivers an emotionally taut program weaving together striking interpretations of iconic songs and deeply felt originals.
His mid-career emergence as a supple and engaging singer isnt coming from left field. On 2012s critically hailed Secret World, his first release under his own name, Denson included vocals on two original pieces and has continued in that fashion on most of his solo releases. On last years Sgt. Pepper tribute May I Introduce to You with the collective San Francisco String Trio, his vocal interpretation of Fixing a Hole was one of the albums highlights. Densons music covers a lot of stylistic territory, but my voice is a thread running through each one, whether Im singing or not, he says. I was a singer before I was a bass player. Going into the jazz world I put my voice away for a long time. But this is a logical step for me, in that Im using my voice more and more every year. This is the first time Im singing throughout an entire album, and these songs are a direct continuation of the music Ive been writing and arranging.
Densons arrangements of four songs by other artists dont reimagine the pieces as much as filter them through his subtle sonic palette, starting with a gorgeous, lapidary version of Grace, a piece inspired by the Negative Press Project album he produced last year for Ridgeway Records, Eternal Life: Jeff Buckley Songs and Sounds. He delivers a sparse, intensely poignant rendition of Abbey Lincolns Bird Alone, a re-harmonized 6/8 version of Peter Gabriels In Your Eyes and a riveting arrangement of Fell On Black Days by Chris Cornell, a piece that serves as a tribute to Soundgardens vocalist, whos music served a high school soundtrack for Denson.
In my mind, hes arguably the best voice of that rock/grunge generation, Denson says. I wanted to pay tribute to him and his artistry. And Abbey is one of my favorite jazz vocalists. Ive always loved the way she sings, how she pulls on the time like Billie Holiday. She sings with such a full, intense, large sound, and this song of hers always moved me. I wanted to see what I could do with it.
Densons four original pieces stand up impressively next to his interpretations, from the Beatlesque optimism of For A Brand New Day to the clangy prepared-piano accompaniment of the anguished Have We Really Gone This Far? On a melancholic piece that feels like it beamed in from a universe neighboring Miles Daviss In a Silent Way, Denson contributes an atmospheric wordless vocal on Through the Mist, a tune hes radically rearranged since the collective trio Minsarah introduced it in 2006. The closing title track is a wistful invitation into Densons verdant musical world.
Artists are always dreaming up what were doing, he says. My goal has always been very clearly to create my own musical world.
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